25 cows found dead in Panipat, 10 critical

THE BOVINE ALLEGEDLY CONSUMED POISONOUS WATER OR GRASS FROM FIELDS IN KHOJKIPUR VILLAGE

KARNAL: As many as 25 cows died and ten others were in a critical condition after they allegedly consumed poisonous water or grass from agricultural fields in Khojkipur village of Panipat district.

The cows belonged to a group of cowherds from Rajasthan, who had brought them to Haryana due to lack of green pastures in their state.

Cowherds Teja Singh and Daya Ram said they had come from Jodhpur with a herd of about 600 cows and were staying in Khojkipur village, situated in the low-laying area of the Yamuna river.

On Friday night, the cows were fine but on Saturday morning, six of them were found dead, whereas several others fell ill, they said,

They added that by the evening, the number of dead cows reached 25 and the condition of 10 others became critical.

They said they did not know the actual reason behind their death, but suspected that the cows might have consumed poisonous water or grass from the fields while grazing on Friday evening.

The veterinary doctors reached the spot and started treatment of the cows.

“It seems the cows have consumed some poisonous grass or water from the agricultural fields. But a team of doctors is working so that other cows could be saved,” said veterinary doctor Neeraj Kumar.

He said the bodies of the cows were sent for the postmortem and actual cause of the death could be ascertained after its report.

Samalkha sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Gaurav Kumar said an investigation has been ordered in the matter to find out the actual cause behind the death of the cows.

Meanwhile, residents of Khojkipur village are providing support to the cowherds and village sarpanch Love Sharma arranged medicines and shelter for the injured bovine.

The dead cows were buried near the banks of river Yamuna with the help of earth movers.